Voters in Polk Co. will decide on a 1/2-cent sales tax in April. The money would go to the county's 911 center.

"We have to have the money to continue operations," says the director of Polk Co. 911, Richard Roark.

Roark says the money is needed for new equipment, and to make up for an increased call load.

Currently, the dispatch center is funded by the city of Bolivar, Citizen's Memorial Hospital, and the Polk Co. Sheriff's Office. Those three each contribute $122,500 each year.

Also, residents with land-line phone contribute $1.20 each month.

If the tax passes, Polk Co. 911 would get its entire budget from the sales tax.

"It's continually going up every year to operate it. Our equipment is now seven years old and it's time to be replaced. That's a very expensive proposition, and we don't have the funds to do it with," says Roark.

A new 911 system and radio equipment would cost between $400,000 and $500,000, according to Roark.

This all comes as bad news to Bolivar, which is planning to ask its voters for a 1/4-cent recreation sales tax.

"If you don't have those quality of life issues available, it could be a hindrance to bringing business into town," says Ron Mersch, Bolivar's City Administrator.

The Bolivar tax would pay for golf course improvements, a new aquatic center, and a walking/bicycling trail extension.

Bolivar city officials are concerned voters won't approve both taxes, if the Polk Co. tax is 1/2-cent.

"3/4 of a cent in one tax is a little bit tough," says Mersch.

"I'm going to suggest they go for a lesser amount, because they could get by with a 3/8th cent rather than a half cent," says Bolivar Mayor Charles Ealy, who serves on the board that voted for Polk Co.'s 1/2-cent sales tax.

Ealy plans to make the suggestion at E-911's Oct. 23rd board meeting.

The current budget for Polk Co. 911 is around $600,000. If the sales tax passes, E-911 would bring in about $1.3 million.

"It's more than double what they're currently using," says Mersch.

"Down the road, I'm just trying to project in the future what we might need," says Roark.

With fewer people using land-line phones, and Missouri being the only state that doesn't tax cell phones for 911, Roark says the sales tax is crucial to the future of Polk Co. 911.

"it's going to seem like we're going to have a lot of money at first, but, as you go through the years, as you buy more equipment, as your operating costs go up and stuff, it'd sustain itself and that's what we're trying to do," says Roark.

Bolivar is just hoping Polk Co. is willing to compromise.

"If we can all work together on this and get both taxes passed, we can provide nice facilities, parks-wise, 911 facilities that are sufficient to hand emergency services, and save tax payers money at the same time," says Mersch.

Thursday, Bolivar's Board of Alderman will decide if it will put a 1/4-cent sales tax on the April ballot.

Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com